Building an Addition
Thinking of completing an addition to your home? Before you start, here is a guide to help you through the project.
Please refer to Building Services Announcements for up-to-date information about impacted services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addition: Construction resulting in an increase in area to any building. This includes the attachment of any structure to the primary residential building, such as an accessory building or covered deck.
Sight Triangle: Required for corners lots, they provide increased visibility at intersections for the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
Planning Your Project
Before you begin, contact Service Barrie at 705-739-4242 orServiceBarrie@barrie.ca to ensure your project:
- Complies with Zoning By-law section 5.3 for set-backs and lot coverage
- Doesn’t require a permit from a local conservation authority
- Doesn’t infringe on your property’s zoned land use
Call Before You Dig! Always contact Ontario One Call before you dig, even if it’s just with a shovel, to locate any underground cables or lines below the surface.
Considerations:
- All properties on a private septic system will require an on-site sewage system approval prior to issuance
- Any outstanding development, parkland dedication, water meter, and/or education development charges must be paid prior to building permit issuance.
- Ensure that the subdivision agreement is registered on title and check for any special conditions.
- If your property is a corner lot, be sure plans comply with sight triangle Zoning By-law standards. All corner lots shall provide a sight triangle consisting of an unobstructed triangular area where the front lot line and the exterior side lot line intersect.
| Location |
Minimum Distance from Lot Line |
| Arterial or Collector Roads |
5m (16.4ft) x 5m (16.4ft) |
| Local Roads |
3m (9.8ft) x 3m (9.8ft) |
| Arterial or Collector Road abutting Local Road |
5m (16.4ft) x 3m (9.8ft) |
| Sight triangles shall be measured from the point of intersection of the lot lines. Planting is not permitted in the area of a sight triangle as plants can grow to become sight barriers. |
Completing Your Project
Permits: This project requires a Dwelling Permit Addition/Alteration. Apply for a building permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence.
Inspections: Below are commonly required inspections based on permit type. There may be additional inspections required on a case-by-case basis. Visit the Building Inspections webpage for more information.
| Building Inspection |
When to call |
| Footings |
When formwork & reinforcement is installed, before pouring concrete |
| Foundation |
When footing formwork & reinforcement is installed, before pouring concrete |
| Framing |
When framing (including roof framing) is complete, prior to covering framing on the inside and after all plumbing and HVAC has been installed |
| HVAC, basement |
When HVAC installation is complete |
| HVAC, above grade |
When all HVAC installation (except basement HVAC) is complete and furnace is connected |
| Plumbing |
When water and sanitary pipe installation is complete and ready for testing in accordance with the Ontario Building Code |
| Insulation (basement) |
When all basement insulation installation is complete, prior to covering with drywall or other similar wall board. Vapour barrier may be installed. |
| Insulation (attic) |
When all insulation installation is complete and the vapour barrier has been installed |
| Insulation (above grade) |
When all insulation installation is complete with the vapour barrier (where required) |
| Air barrier (basement) |
When header wrap (or similar product) installation is complete and air barrier has been sealed to the foundation wall in some manner |
| Air barrier (above grade). |
When exterior sheathing installation is complete and air barrier has been sealed to the header wrap, or similar product, and sealed to the vapour barrier of the attic |
| Final Interior |
When all washroom fixtures (i.e. toilet, sink) and door installation is complete |
| Final Exterior |
When all exterior finishes have been installed and all barrier free items have been completed (if required) |
| Construction may be done in phases. Such projects may require additional inspections. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page is meant for guiding purposes only. Individual home renovation projects vary in scope and may require additional steps to ensure proper completion. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure work conforms to any restrictive covenants, caveats or other restrictions that are registered on the land title. The information above has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Barrie accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically.